Honda Cars India, the wholly owned subsidiary of the Japanese automobile manufacturer Honda has launched its first car model with a diesel version in India, the Honda Amaze mid-size sedan on April 11, 2013 at an entry level price of Rs 4,99,000 (Ex-showroom Delhi).
The new sedan is available in both petrol and diesel fuel versions, at the entry level price of Rs 4,99,000 (Ex-showroom Delhi) for the petrol version and Rs 5,99,000 (Ex-showroom Delhi) for the entry level price for the diesel version.
The petrol version is equipped with the 1.2 liter petrol engine shared with the Brio hatchback while the diesel version houses the 1.5 liter diesel engine which has been specially developed by Honda keeping the Indian conditions in mind. Honda claims a mileage of 25.8 kilometers per liter, currently the highest for any car available in India. Another competitive feature of the Amaze sedan is the special heat absorbing front windshield which is claimed by Honda to lower the cabin temperature by up to 6 degrees.
The new sedan will compete directly with the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Dzire, the Toyota Etios and the Chevrolet Sail.With the launch of the Amaze sedan, the Japanese carmaker has filled the long standing absence of a diesel car model in its Indian car portfolio. The new mid-size sedan has been priced competitively at a range of Rs 4,99,000 – Rs 7,60,000 (Ex-showroom Delhi) including both petrol and diesel versions.
Honda India has currently halted production of the Jazz premium hatchback in order to make room for the Amaze sedan’s production at its Greater Noida manufacturing facility which has a total capacity of producing 10,000 units a month. The automaker has also announced an investment of Rs 2,500 crore in India with aim of doubling its annual manufacturing capacity to 2,40,000 units.